To achieve immortality, I cultivate using Qi Luck

As previously discussed, such methods of expanding territory were already mastered by the various Immortal Sects in the Changqing Domain.

A complete set of procedures, repeated a few times, could easily take down nine Immortal Sects.

Those who favored surrender saw this, which was why they hurriedly and anxiously offered their allegiance.

Surrendering at this moment, with a sect’s entire foundation at stake, even for the sake of saving face, the Changqing Immortal Sect would treat them favorably, granting them high regard.

With these rewards, those who surrendered might even have the chance to contend for Immortal status in the future.

Moreover, by joining the Changqing Immortal Sect, one becomes a disciple of a grand sect, and their status changes instantly.

With such an exit strategy, their future wouldn’t be too bleak.

But if they stubbornly resisted, continuing to protect their sect inheritance without yielding,

then what awaited them would be demons attacking and the destruction of their sect.

Currently, under this grand trend, none of the nine families could remain unaffected.

Those unwilling to surrender yet wanting to protect their sect inheritance saw this too.

Hence, even before the war ended, maybe even while it was ongoing, when the True Persons of these families were not yet dead, they were already aware that they were most likely unable to escape calamity, sensing Changqing Immortal Sect’s intent to take advantage of them.

From that time, these families had already started arranging escape plans.

Many sent Hidden Vein disciples, scattered to different places, directly escaping from the Changqing Domain to seek a new paradise where they could re-establish their Tao inheritance.

After the war, these remaining disciples, those unwilling to surrender, also prepared to follow the previous Hidden Vein disciples, escaping overnight from the Changqing Domain to establish a new lineage elsewhere.

"There’s always a place for the worthy elsewhere."

The Changqing Domain is no good place either, with constant warfare, and this time it was particularly brutal, which scared many.

Many people, after the war, already harbored thoughts of fleeing.

And the Changqing Immortal Sect, for their part, maintained a default stance on this, turning a blind eye, letting these people leave.

Just as everyone expected, the Changqing Immortal Sect had no intention of sparing these nine Immortal Sects.

It was an open secret, evident to any bystander.

Thus, at this moment, those outside of the surrender faction were willing to leave on their own, which spared them the hassle.

With everyone gone, only those who surrendered remained; even the plot of demons causing chaos was unnecessary, they could simply accept allegiance, saving time and effort.

As for those stubborn individuals who were neither willing to surrender nor leave, there were both the surrender faction and demons to deal with them.

Internal strife and demon attacks, two methods, there was always one that suited the situation.

Faced with the now bared sharp teeth of the Changqing Immortal Sect, these almost-caught ducks couldn’t fly away.

Unless there’s an external formidable enemy, who forcibly punches and snatches a duck leg from its mouth, enacting a seizing from the tiger’s mouth.

And this was precisely what Taiping Dao intended to do.

Therefore, seeing Qing Guanzi coming to report, Lu Yuan instructed, "Remember the last Ghost-Exorcising Ceremony, accompanied by Song Xiren, among the True Persons was one from Red Creek Valley and one from Flying Mist Mountain.

Back then, you and the two True Persons had quite an enjoyable conversation and managed to establish a significant relationship.

This time you attend the succession ceremony of the Changqing Immortal Sect, take the opportunity to talk to Song Xiren, mention how much you care for these two True Persons.

Now with so many from the Changqing Immortal Sect gone, their strength is insufficient to cover the entire territory and maintain stability within the domain.

These two Immortal Sects also suffered heavy losses, struggling to defend themselves against demons.

Now that both True Persons are gone, you inevitably share their concerns and are willing to step forward and help protect their sects."

"Use this opportunity to test Song Xiren and see whether he is willing to agree," Lu Yuan instructed.

Red Creek Valley and Flying Mist Mountain, two Immortal Sects, were right at the border of the Eastern Territory adjoining the Southern Domain.

By asking Qing Guanzi to deliver this message to Song Xiren, Lu Yuan naturally wanted to seize the lands of these two sects and two countries from the latter.

Qing Guanzi replied, "Yes, once I meet Song Xiren, I will mention this matter to him."

Lu Yuan nodded and sneered, "After you’ve told him, observe his attitude. If he is willing, then let it be. If he is not and refuses to share any benefits, then after you return, we will lead our troops northward and station them in Jiuchuan Country.

I want to see if, facing the restored strength of the Jiuzhou Immortal Gate and increased pressure on his western borders, he dares to compete with me here in the south once more?"

Changqing Immortal Sect has recently conquered lands spanning four countries from the Western Domain. Inside its own borders, there are the rich lands of nine countries ready to be devoured.

Such great benefits won’t be too much to swallow.

Taiping Dao following behind, nibbling at the leftovers and taking over two countries, surely that wouldn’t be too excessive?

This time, sending Yi Dancheng to Jiuzhou, instruct him to actively forge connections and ingratiate himself with the True Persons of the Jiuzhou Immortal Gate.

Apart from laying the groundwork for future grand plans, it also unmistakably served the purpose of intimidating Changqing Immortal Sect through this stance.

Changqing Immortal Sect has been fighting against Jiuzhou for thousands of years.

There must surely be insiders within the two sects.

Yi Dancheng’s active attitude within the Jiuzhou Immortal Gate will surely be reported back to Changqing Immortal Sect by those insiders.

Faced with Taiping Dao, which seems to be joining forces with the Jiuzhou Immortal Gate and having just ended a war— even losing their School Leader— wouldn’t Changqing Immortal Sect feel pressured?

On the southern side, Taiping Dao is also coordinating its efforts by stationing troops at the border.

With this two-pronged approach, unless Song Xiren has lost his mind, he couldn’t possibly refuse the demands of Taiping Dao.

It’s highly likely that he will obediently cede the territories of the two countries, handing over Red Creek Valley and Flying Mist Mountain to Taiping Dao.

This is an open stratagem.

It’s exploiting your illness to carve off your flesh; what could you possibly do about it?

After laying out his plans and thinking of his three younger brothers, Lu Yuan added, "As for Jintai Gate and Xuan Turtle Mountain, since Changqing Immortal Sect has invited them, bring them along with you as well."

Changqing Immortal Sect’s ruthless methods towards its own vassals had thoroughly frightened these three Southern Domain Immortal Sects.

It made them grateful that they had escaped from Changqing Immortal Sect in time and joined Taiping Dao.

Otherwise, like this time when the great battle commenced and had they still been vassals of Changqing Immortal Sect, they would have certainly met cannon fodder fates.

At this moment, they couldn’t help but think of the treatment meted out to the nine northern Immortal Sects, which were about to be annexed.

A grim example lies right in front of them.

The three Southern Domain Immortal Sects couldn’t help but feel empathy and concern.

Thus, towards Changqing Immortal Sect, which caused all this, they naturally harbored immense hostility.

Similarly, to avoid meeting the same fate themselves, they began to ingratiate themselves zealously with their current superior, Taiping Dao.

Each one desperately proving their worth to avoid being used as cannon fodder should Taiping Dao come into conflict with others in the future.

Then afterward, to be used up and discarded entirely.

Such an ending would indeed be tragic.

No one wanted to face such a fate.

The three Immortal Sects also began, in their own ways, to actively save themselves.